How do tatoos stay on you?

Question

Our skin sheds constantly throughout our lives, so how is it that tatoo ink does not shed along with the skin?

Answer 1

A tattoo is made up of [ink] particles embedded in the skin. Although microscopic, they are too large for the body to remove," says James Nachbar, a plastic surgeon in Phoenix who volunteers time to remove tattoos from ex-gang members.

The body rids itself of foreign specks by engulfing them and washing them away. White blood cells swallow the offending matter and clear, watery lymph removes the encased specks. The bits of tattoo ink, however, are bigger than the white blood cells, which rules out surrounding them. So tattoos persist because they defeat the body's cleaning mechanism.

It's true we constantly form new skin cells but mainly in the epidermis, the topmost layer. Tattoos are down deeper, in the dermis, a relatively permanent skin layer.

"The tattoo pigment is not within the cells, but in the space between them," adds Dr. Nachbar, "So replacing the cells doesn't help

Answer 2

A tattoo is a puncture wound, made deep in your skin, that's filled with ink. It's made by penetrating your skin with a needle and injecting ink into the area, usually creating some sort of design. What makes tattoos so long-lasting is they're so deep — the ink isn't injected into the epidermis (the top layer of skin that you continue to produce and shed throughout your lifetime). Instead, the ink is injected into the dermis, which is the second, deeper layer of skin. Dermis cells are very stable, so the tattoo is practically permanent.

Tattoos used to be done manually — that is, the tattoo artist would puncture the skin with a needle and inject the ink by hand. Though this process is still used in some parts of the world, most tattoo shops use a tattoo machine these days. A tattoo machine is a handheld electric instrument that uses a tube and needle system. On one end is a sterilized needle, which is attached to tubes that contain ink. A foot switch is used to turn on the machine, which moves the needle in and out while driving the ink about 1/8 inch (about 3 millimeters) into your skin.

Most tattoo artists know how deep to drive the needle into your skin, but not going deep enough will produce a ragged tattoo, and going too deep can cause bleeding and intense pain. Getting a tattoo can take several hours, depending on the size and design chosen.

Does It Hurt to Get a Tattoo?
Getting a tattoo can hurt, but the level of pain can vary. Because getting a tattoo involves being stuck multiple times with a needle, it can feel like getting a bunch of shots or being stung by a hornet multiple times. Some people describe the tattoo sensation as "tingling." It all depends on your pain threshold, how good the person wielding the tattoo machine is, and where exactly on your body you're getting the tattoo. Also, keep in mind that you'll probably bleed a little.

If You're Thinking About It
If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, there is one very important thing you have to keep in mind — getting it done safely. Although it might look a whole lot cooler than a big scab, a new tattoo is also a wound. Like any other slice, scrape, puncture, cut, or penetration to your skin, a tattoo is at risk for infections and disease.

First, make sure you're up to date with your immunizations (especially hepatitis and tetanus shots) and plan where you'll get medical care if your tattoo becomes infected (signs of infection include excessive redness or tenderness around the tattoo, prolonged bleeding, pus, or changes in your skin color around the tattoo).

If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin disorders, a condition that affects your immune system, or infections — or if you are pregnant — ask your doctor if there are any special concerns you should have or precautions you should take beforehand. Also, if you're prone to getting keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue in the area of the wound), it's probably best to avoid getting a tattoo altogether.

It's very important to make sure the tattoo studio is clean and safe, and that all equipment used is disposable (in the case of needles, gloves, masks, etc.) and sterilized (everything else). Some states, cities, and communities set up standards for tattoo studios, but others don't. You can call your state, county, or local health department to find out about the laws in your community, ask for recommendations on licensed tattoo shops, or check for any complaints about a particular studio.

Answer 3

Because our outer layer of skin sheds but not the skin under. A tattoo goes under your skin, thats why after maybe 30-40 years it will be a bit faded because some of the skin cells have shed off from the tattoo.

Answer 4

The ink is embedded deep enough that those layers don't shed off. Only the top couple layers actually peel off and regrow but the lower ones (where tattoo ink is) are continually strong. The deeper you go into skin layers the thicker they are and the more they retain what is put into them.

Answer 5

usually tattoos that are lighter or brighter hues will fade drasticly in the event that they're uncovered to the solar for long classes of time. while you're continuously going to be swimming, look to the two getting it touched up like as quickly as a three hundred and sixty 5 days or pass with darker hues. yet, no, tattoos do not tan, in certainty the lighter hues won't even take place once you have a tan. that's what i replaced into informed via my tattoo guy.... Use a intense spf sunblock!

Answer 6

because the ink goes into the second layer of skin which we don't shed

Answer 7

it is inserted below the dermis level of skin (the epidermis is the top level that sheds constantly)...therefore, it will not come off

Answer 8

Tattoo ink is inserted deep under the skin but after awhile it does fade and then upkeep is required.

I don't want a tattoo and will never get one for this reason. It's bad enough to get it the first time... then to have to go back to have someone draw on me again seems pointless. I'm not a coloing book, Im a person.

Answer 9

the needle goes so deep so i am sure that there are plenty of layers of tattoo ink

Answer 10

perment ink plus it a scar